The Curse of Oak Island had its season (and possibly series) finale last night, and after big promises about a major discovery, nothing much happened. The team found some colonial era materials, including a gold button, and that was that. No evidence of pre-Columbian expeditions came to light, and with that my interest faded to nothing. It’s what I expected. A real discovery would have prompted news coverage long ago. Such is life.

I am not particularly thrilled about having to discuss today’s topic, but I think it’s important to have something in the record for when it comes back to bite me later. A few days ago a man named Robert Burke contacted me. He was the Libertarian Party candidate for Wisconsin governor in the 2014 election and a 2016 House race, and he told me that he was writing a book. “I am working on a book and you have popped up in my research now a few times. I was wondering if you might have 15 minutes for a short interview,” he said. He told me that the book would look into the culture of the UFO disclosure movement.

I agreed to speak with him, and I called him on Monday afternoon. Burke worked in marketing communications and never asked that the interview be off the record. Consequently, I feel it is important to share it. He told me that he had read some of my blog posts and was impressed with the depth and quality of my research. He then proceeded to ask me questions about my impressions of a number of figures in the UFO, ancient aliens, and ancient mysteries fields. I shared with him my impressions, and I said nothing that I haven’t already put in print here on my blog, namely that many in the field speak without or beyond the evidence, that they complain about oppression despite having platforms with major publishers and TV networks, and that they cast themselves as victims despite many of them making massive amounts of money from a variety of revenue streams. I also mentioned that ufology is not my area of specialization and that I focus mostly on ancient history and archaeological questions.

Burke came across as a pleasant enough person, though some of his questions baffled me a bit, particularly his interest in something called the “plasma universe” theory, which I had never heard of. It is apparently a kind of speculative cosmology that suggests that plasma plays a major role in governing the physics of the universe. Burke seemed to see this as connected to the plasma flare hypothesis Robert Schoch offered to explain the end of the last Ice Age.

Anyway, I had assumed that this was, as Burke had suggested, a conversation to generate some ideas for his upcoming book. I didn’t think much of this until this morning when Burke sent me a message via Facebook to accuse me of being a government disinformation agent and suggesting that my blog posts are written for me by forces unknown in order to deceive the public. He even accused me of being “very crafty” in denying knowledge of plasma cosmology despite the fact that my 2005 book The Cult of Alien Gods contains a picture of a nebula, which has some connection or another to plasma.

His major complaint, however, is that when we spoke he felt I was being dishonest in telling him that I did not remember the content of a podcast interview that occultist Peter Levenda gave to Jason McClellan et al. back in December. That was almost three months ago, and while I recall the passage I quoted on my blog, the rest of it, being of no use or relevance to me, passed into the void, along with the hundreds of hours of audio and video I consume each month. I write about 400,000 words per year on this blog, another 100,000 in other published projects most years, and 500,000 or more in my regular freelance work. If you think I can recall not just all of that but also all of the research it was based on without notice and on demand, you have another thing coming. But that wasn’t sufficient for Burke, who felt that I should have ready recall of the specific material that interests him (even if it isn’t important to me):

No one else in the universe paid Levenda’s interview with McClellen even a wink. Zero. I couldn’t even find it with a search engine. Either you would have to be watching Jason McClellen's interviews (in which case you could legitimately recall both his name and even a piece of the interview and blog) or this was constructed for you.

Nope. I just didn’t care because it made very little impression on me. It’s like trying to recall who won Jeopardy! three months ago. You probably knew it right when it happened, might have a vague memory the next week, but by now it’s just a blur.

“No one is putting out the level of incorrect information at your pace,” Burke added. His definition of incorrectinformation is more accurately information that disagrees with me.

Anyway, the reason I bring all of this up is because Burke seems to see me as an important part of the story he is telling in his book. He previewed it for me:

Like I said, there is a small probability you are just a skeptic. Small. I don’t sense you are emotionally driven in your thinking which causes the disconnect. My book has not been about aliens. It is about disclosure and the elements that went into making it happen. At the tip of the spear debunking the work is you.

So, I learned a few things: (a) The Libertarian Party vetting process is not particularly stringent. (b) I need to stop trying to help people with their research. (c) … Well, I had best not say.

I wonder why he even bothered to contact you. You explained to him that alien contact wasn't your area of interest, that you only commented on the fact that they failed to provide any real evidence to support their conclusions. That they always viewed themselves as "victims", despite the fact that they had platforms to spread their message. Then he complained because you didn't remember an obscure video you had seen months before and didn't remember.

As the Curse of Oak Island can lead the nightly rating for first run cable series, and also ranks in weekly cable ratings, you can probably count on there being a Season 5. Add to that that the Lagina brothers are now fully invested in the type of deception the narrator sets forth weekly in failing to disclose Robert Dunfield's geological findings ruling out that the "box drains" were some sort of flood tunneling (more likely a salt works operation back when fishing companies had claims on the island as per Dennis King: http://www.criticalenquiry.org/oakisland/Dennis_King_Mar_2010.shtml).

And yes, confirmation bias abounds with TV antique pundit Dr. Lori telling the brothers that a metal spike found in the swamp was from a Spanish galleon, which they then convert to treasure ship rather than perhaps one that transported fish instead. Yes, every bit of wood and metal framing they dig up must be connected to treasure; not remnants of past (fruitless) diggings. Like they just grabbed the edge of that treasure box again!

What I loved about hate-watching last night, was how they insist that round wooden logs had to be from the "treasure platforms" (that likely existed in legend only)... and show the same type of logs used with their reenacted portrayal of past diggings by other failed endeavors as ceilings for tunneling. How inconvenient for them.

No, this show is going to continue. The longer it goes, the more the Lagina brothers will indulge in mendacity, just as others before them have done to profit from the hoax. It is the lie that keeps giving.

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Benjamin James

2/22/2017 01:58:04 pm

I have never heard anyone on the show "insist" that the smaller round logs were from the platforms. Its merely a theory to explain them being present. It was on the peculiar side to me that it would be at that depth when everything else was cribbing in nature. Plus everything being tested is showing a consistent time frame of late 1600s. You cannot criticize someone during a discovery process.

There are definitely some things about the show itself that I find annoying, but that is the fault of television production. I gladly pay every month for the convenience of my DVR.

I go back and forth on the original account and how much to believe. Being a professional in the commercial construction industry, I am very familiar with what it takes to put works in place in terms of material and labor. If the accounts are even partly true, it would have taken a hell of a lot of work with hand tools to achieve what was described both in the money pit and things like Nolan's Cross. My intuition is there had to have been a significant purpose, treasure related or not.

The show has at least evolved a little bit in terms of substance since the first season with all of the emphasis on curses and supernatural etc. I could still do without all of guests presenting theories about tunnels under the ocean and Aztec caverns. I think the brothers could do without it too, if you look at their body language.

I would take the brothers over pretty much any other show relating to history/archaeology. They at least approach their task with a search for proof and are willing to consult with outside expertise. They are also motivated to search for information to tell the story and not just to pull a bunch of gold out of the ground.

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SDO

2/22/2017 09:59:19 pm

I agree with you Benjamin. The shown present many theories and the brothers seem open to many of them. Besides, they are spending millions sonic they want to make some assumptions they are entitled.

Personally, i found he bit and pieces they did pull out his week quite interesting and am glad that although it was the season finale there will be a follow up next week to provide some of the analysis.

While I respect your opinion Jason, and love your posts on various topics, people and shows, I do feel you are unjustly critical about this show. It is not supposed to be a scientific analysis or necessarily reveal anything, it is about 2 brothers (and a few others) having an adventure with a camera crew along the way. The script is tiresome in presentation and wording but it is a TV show after all that needs an audience.

I find it quite entertaining and interesting to see the approaches, equipment and some actual history along the way. I don't expect or want them to explain every theory or include every detailed fact, it is their work that drives it. They find, or don't find, whatever they do, or don't. I find it interesting that there is wood, metal and other man made object being pulled 200 feet out of the ground. It is enough to keep me watching.

There have been countless diggings on that island and all they're pulling up are the remnants of those past operations; cribbing, framing and yes... round logs used as ceilings for tunneling by gullible treasure seekers.

There is no valid historical basis for even the notion of treasure on Oak Island. Marty is an attorney, engineer and millionaire and no doubt had access to the geological findings that long ago dispelled such idiocy as booby trapped flood tunnels. They bought in as Oak Island Tours, Inc., which should give you an idea of where their investment was heading. No the only treasure is in television ratings for this known hoax that is now been taken over by the dear brothers... who are conning you. Reality television is not real, I'm afraid.

Please, if you haven't been to Richard Joltes' site with his investigation of Oak Island, you should check it out. It's a much better read than the nonsense that is this television show... brought to you by Ancient Aliens' Prometheus Entertainment. Check it out for yourselves:

http://www.criticalenquiry.org/oakisland/index.shtml

Then join me in hate-watching as the brothers now lie to you, just as the announcer has been doing from the get go.

Benjamin James

2/23/2017 02:54:16 am

I will check out that read. I try to be as informed as I can.

I will not defend the brothers to the death, but I can appreciate someone that can put their money where their mouth is these days. It was a huge risk for them 10 years ago to plop some money down and go after it. I will also consider your point of view going forward that they did put out the cash and agreed that they probably haven't found what they were expecting in terms of monetary return by this point. Suddenly the island is open for tourism. How it unfolds remains to be seen at this point.

To untie some things so to speak, I will offer you this. Some tidbits about History (the channel). The way that History became aware of the brothers search on Oak Island was when they allowed access and filmed Scott Wolter for his episode of History Unearthed.

Take American Pickers for example. Season 1 (like all) is considered a pilot season of enough material for 8 shows; no monetary compensation offered. If ratings are favorable they will renew for a second season with maybe 16 shows with still no compensation. The way they make it fair is the huge boom in traffic to their business and T-shirt sales etc. (similar process for all networks ie American Chopper on Discovery) Suddenly a deal arrives per episode for a third season with successful ratings mind you. The last I looked Mike and Frank were collecting $50,000 per episode. Go look it up for yourselves if you are unsure.

For having one of History Channel's top rated shows like AP, they have to be at a point where they are offering the brothers some $$.

I honestly think that it would be much more efficient to document everything per season, and show it in a few 2-hour specials rather than 16 episodes, but they are in the business of selling advertising remember.

SDO

2/23/2017 06:49:12 am

Thankfully, we are each entitled to pur own opinions.

Again, I don't see he show as a true historical documentary, but I do see it as an adventure in the hopes of finding something, anything, even if that is just remnants of past searches.

I thank you for the link. I find some of your conclusions a bit closed minded though Joe. You are stating things as facts, but they are not.

As for spendings millions of dollars digging holes.just to get a few tourists to the island..... Well, doesn't seem llike that would make any sense. It would take a couple hundred years to break even. My brother went on a tour back in the 60s soon this isn't anything new.

If you hate the show then I invite you to change the channel. At the very least I usually get a laugh listening to the scripted voice over.

Joe Scales

2/23/2017 11:13:26 am

Hey, when I first heard of the show, I assumed they were dealing with an historical anomaly and was intrigued accordingly. Then I did the independent research and realized what a crock the entire idea was from the get go.

First off, there is absolutely no historical record in newspaper accounts, written diaries, government records or books about any treasure on Oak Island until 1849 when an application for a treasure hunting license was filed. Does 1849 ring a bell? Gold fever? Then over the years, the original story was exaggerated from the named "boys" (they were actually men who lived on the island) finding flag stones and wooden planks buried in soft earth under a tackle block hanging from a tree. Now let's put aside for a moment that you just buried the world's greatest treasure and you leave a tackle block hanging over it... with the more likely inference that you dug something up rather than deposited it... and get to the story. Well, wooden planks at ten feet down became pick marks every ten feet, then wooden platforms every ten feet. Then of course came that stone. Allegedly discovered around 1805 in the rewritten history, in the one hundred plus years it was supposed to be around, no one photographed it. No one traced it. No written description of what was on it made it to print until... wait for it... 1949. And that was speculative hearsay at best, most likely invented to sell a book on the subject.

As for the flood tunnel booby traps, they never existed. They are ruled out as a matter of geology (The Windsor Formation beneath the island, with natural cavities and water ways), yet the show goes on as if they are a settled matter.

Everything about the story is a ruse... and that's not even including the Templar nonsense. None of the evidence for treasure actually include treasure itself; just items real or imagined whose properties are warped with only the preconceived assumption of treasure. Seriously, if anyone can read the research at criticalenquiry.org and still be convinced there's something to this whole treasure thing, I'd like to hear their arguments.

Joe Scales

3/1/2017 09:48:16 am

"Personally, i found he bit and pieces they did pull out his week quite interesting and am glad that although it was the season finale there will be a follow up next week to provide some of the analysis"

Sorry SDO, but all you got was a clip show of Season 4, a shameless plug for the Lagina's winery and more mendacity flying in the face of history and science. If you take away the assumption of treasure, which has no absolutely no credible basis when the myths are exposed, all findings are rendered meaningless. They're already gearing up for Season 5 however, as the ratings success could not allow otherwise; with the Laginas now full on board with the hoax, poisoning the well of knowledge with each and every episode.

Scott Hamilton

2/22/2017 11:25:06 am

Burke's huge about-face there suggests he talked to someone after your interview who convinced him you're a disinformation agent. I wonder who that might be? It would be fun to have a nemesis.

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Weatherwax

2/22/2017 12:55:34 pm

My hunch is that he had it all planned from the beginning. Probably hoped Jason would say something that would 'give away the whole scam'. Jason's wisdom to only speak to what he knew and what he'd already written left him scrambling desperately for something.

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Bill Forbes

2/22/2017 10:09:14 pm

I have watched this show since it has started. Last nights grand finale was one of the biggest let downs. I thought that they found some gold even the smallest gold coin would have made me feel good about watching the show. Now I just feel like I have used for the bro's to make money on the tv show. SHow us something will you. Now I have to wait until next season if there is a next year just to wait for another season finale for another button. Come on guys, your losing your fan base..

A more interesting show would be an exposé of the hoax which began in 1849 and would feature actual research into the history of malfeasance and fortunes lost by those falling for the scam. If only a responsible network could undertake such a task involving genuine history it would actually be quite captivating.

In the meantime, there is this however, by Richard Joltes on youtube for those not wishing to read his source material:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaIaOesYR2I&feature=youtu.be

Dan

2/25/2017 02:25:31 pm

The problem with that idea is that Oak Island is still primarily controlled by Dan Blankenship, who is the biggest scam artist of them all. The Laginas only got onto the island by purchasing a majority portion of the syndicate that Blankenship partnered with Dunfield and Nolan before Nolan sued them.

Shane Sullivan

2/22/2017 12:35:02 pm

I'm sorry to hear about your troubling experience. I guess Libertarian politicians aren't all animal-sacrificing Thelemites. Turns out some of them are weirdos.

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Bob Jase

2/22/2017 01:02:10 pm

First - the fact that he's a Libertarian should have been sufficient warning.

One reason the disinformation service is so effective is that it doesn't even tell it's agents that they work for it. Pays well too - if you can figure out where the money is hidden.

COOI will run until bigfoot is dreged out of the pit.

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A C

2/22/2017 01:09:58 pm

Plasma cosmology isn't a theory, its an area of investigation that ranges from valid but unconfirmed science to interesting speculation to Velikovskyian drivel.

When I read about Robert Schoch's rock art interpretations on this blog I got confused because I encountered the Velikovskyian version described by David Talbot first. I'd guess that Robert Schoch took the idea from the neo-Velikovskyites and 'dumbed down' the catastrophism. David Talbot has a lot of videos on Youtube if you care to see his brand of nonsense which tends to go under the "Electric Universe" label.

Since its speculative science (sometimes running into pseudo-science but they at least try to use peer review) combined with terrible comparative mythology rather than recycled pseudo-history I can see how you might not have run into this stuff directly, especially if you haven't looked into post 70s Velikovskyism.

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Graham

2/22/2017 07:53:42 pm

If you want a good (eg Skeptical) background into the 'Electric Universe' and 'Plasma Physics' there is a two part episode of the Exposing PseudoAstronomy podcast.

Episode 115 - The Electric Universe, Part 1, with Dr. Tom Bridgman

http://podcast.sjrdesign.net/shownotes_115.php

Episode 116 - The Electric Universe, Part 2, with Dr. Tom Bridgman

http://podcast.sjrdesign.net/shownotes_116.php

Episodes 120 & 121 cover 'Dr' James McCanney a major proponent of the electric universe.

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PostModernPrimate

2/22/2017 01:34:31 pm

Oh, Jason! Never trust a libertarian. There is literally only ever one person they are looking out for.

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Kal

2/22/2017 02:30:59 pm

I wouldn't have given him the time of day. He was clearly out to get the fringe guy ala trolling, and now he has your number. Great. I've had that kind of thing before with fringers who want to 'talk about stuff' and it turns out they want to moan and rant about how they're wronged in their let's say less than accurate theories, and somehow obsessing over you for being intelligent is turning them into haters. Libertarian does explain a great deal. Don't let it bother you. Just block his number on your caller id.

These guys fail to realize as a blogger you are not a journalist for a magazine, don't answer to an editor, and are just there to have a discourse. You never claimed to be an expert on aliens and UFOs, just a fan of the whole fringe movement, and all of that ancient alien stuff.

As you said in one of your radio podcasts, you are a fan not an expert. The fact that you went to the college GT went to in Ithica is about it, and you like Atlantis and giants and all of that, and to talk about Ancient Aliens, and you were on some radio shows. This other dude probably wasn't on very many,

And for the record, as a blogger also, I have never heard of this dude, or the other dude he referred to on some random podcast some months ago. He too will fade into obscurity. Maybe that is his concern.

He could occupy his time with celebrity fringe people like Wolter and Hancock and Pulitzer and get a far more in the know, but not so much informed thing on fringe pseudo archeology. But maybe SW wouldn't talk to him. I don't know.

Why do these people insist you somehow lied, when there was really a blog, and it probably was a comment, not yours, that was ill informed? And so what if there was a false opinion there. It's not a journalistic scholarly paper. It's a blog. It is the very definition of 'editorial opinion', and does not need to carry the same standard bearing.

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Only Me

2/22/2017 02:50:19 pm

I'll be the one to say it: I don't believe Burke read any of your blog posts at all. If he had, he'd already have an idea of what topics are most discussed. He'd have also seen your book and episode reviews and he could have easily read your bio.

I have no doubt he talked to someone, perhaps even a number of people, heavily invested in the fringe and wholeheartedly accepted their disgruntled bitching.

I wouldn't sweat it, Jason. What's he going to do, "call you out" in his book? Whoop-de-do! Keep on keeping on. There is a good number of us who appreciate what you do.

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Kathleen

2/22/2017 06:55:53 pm

It is disturbing that Jason is being targeted by a (failed) politician. The infiltration of fringe into politics is stressing me out

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JLH

2/23/2017 10:41:32 am

It's getting to me as well, but there's always been a strain of libertarianism prone to deep suspicion and conspiracy theories.

It is a sad experience that being on display in the public awakes certain fools to play their games with you. You have to live with it. The only remedy is transparency and openess. And of course, the clear knowledge, that you are the one who is OK, and that the other side is the problem, not you.

I remember how some Neo-Nazi Atlantis searchers wanted me to pull me into their network by different means, in order to give them some kind of attention and support. And yes: Some even wanted me to search on tracks they wanted me to follow. After several years, these attempts stopped. The word has spread that such attempts are fruitless. I recieved some insulting letters, and now I am just forgotten by them. A comfortable position :-)

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David Bradbury

2/22/2017 04:02:35 pm

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the BBC just aired an extraordinary, moving, harrowing episode of its long-running genealogy/history series "Who Do You Think You Are" based on the Indian/Bangladeshi family of a young soap opera star.

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BigNick

2/22/2017 07:37:32 pm

I'm curious why he expected to find an emotional drive into your reasoned, scientific writing. Maybe that's where he has gone wrong in the first place. He also seems to talk about disclosure like it was event. Was it? Did I miss it?

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Americanegro

2/22/2017 07:44:21 pm

Jason, now that Burke knows, Langley is shutting us down. Seventh floor stuff. I've cleaned out all the accounts so you're on your own. You can still draw from TIMEMACHINEATRISK using the HACKYSACKUNDERWEAR protocol. But hop to it, son. I'm not sure who's running the shop these days. Since I'm on the run you won't hear from me for the next five minutes or so.

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Brian

2/22/2017 09:06:59 pm

Sounds like Burke is desperate for evidence to back up his martyr complex, which it looks like his political career is also feeding. Burke is just a Libertarian crackpot (are there other kinds?). Remember the axiom: one fringe belief begets others.

Don't worry yourself, Jason. You feel a bit victimized, I'm sure, but he latched on to you because you're making valuable contributions to skepticism, but you're not (yet) as high-profile as others that he would never have been able to reach. Manipulation is their forte. Don't fall for the game.

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Titus pullo

2/22/2017 09:14:58 pm

You are painting too broad a brush. Libertarians are usually well grounded in critical thought and a high percentage have either hard science or engineering backgrounds. Believing in natural rights, freedom of trade, sound money, free markets, and peace is hardly wacky positions. Thinking a few central planners can improve the human condition through pseudoscience like keynsian economics is wacky.

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Brian

2/23/2017 03:39:14 pm

Uhm-huh. Libertarians believe in free markets (which have never existed) until they need to be bailed out. Freedom of trade is great until their trade is smacked by somebody underselling them. What they believe in is no regulations on themselves, lots and lots for everybody else. Scratch a Libertarian and an Authoritarian comes roaring out, whatever their backgrounds. I worked on Wall Street and in corporate law. I know too many of them to be fooled by the liberty hype.

Titus pullo

2/22/2017 09:07:14 pm

Run when someone talks about the plasma or electric universe. It's total bs. Anyone who takes a first year physics class could easily refute this garbage . Rational thought is the hallmark of classical liberalism aka libertarianism but like any ideology it attracts strange birds

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Americanegro

2/22/2017 09:25:11 pm

It would be interesting to hear a "first year" physics student or a PhD in physics refute it. When can we expect to see that? Never? No surprise there. Maybe the secret is in stoneholes.

The fact that you assert something that hasn't been done makes me not get into your windowless van.

Seriously dude.

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JLH

2/23/2017 07:19:04 pm

OK

Abstrusius

2/24/2017 08:59:23 am

How can I block your tiresome, imbecilic comments, "American Negro"???

Ed Wensell

2/26/2017 09:47:49 am

Yeah I've looked into plugins that can block posts on threads that used to work really well. But as technology has progressed they started to become more and more flaky. Now I read so much on my phone that they are useless.
Those types of posts are quite useless anyway. A person trys to show how crazy a proposition is by reducing the amount of experience needed in the field to a minimum to make a point. Then along comes somebody who demands they produce said person or else their entire proposition is refuted, usually in a sarcastic and exhausting tone. They know their post is worthless yet they make it anyway, trolling for an argument. And if your not careful they have you arguing about a 1st year college student and not the topic.

What I found is to reply and say your peace and never check the thread again. Its not as good as blocking the original post but effectively renders any response as invisible. I pretty much told "ED" a long long time ago how wrong he was about a post and he knew it but had such a huge case of NPD that he couldn't let it go. I never got to see what I am sure amounted to 4 or 5 posts or sarcastic nothingness aimed at me. Who cares. I don't.

Kal

2/23/2017 02:20:24 pm

Ha, fake uppercase passcodes for the top secret printed on the interweb, lol!

Yeah, don't worry about political fringe trolling, and block that number.

As a physics and science fiction fan, I wouldn't even use plasma space in a story, not a serious one. Maybe in a comedy with green lizard aliens, but not in serious scifi.

It's not the same thing as 'dark matter' and 'dark energy ' is something else. Theories in this case are testable hypothesis, not like the false claims of plasma space.

It's like that microwave engine closed bell drive they made months ago, which defies physics. It cannot work.

You might as well just have your space time powered by unicorns, or some kind of benevolent space god.

Might as well call it the ether, and firmament, which they used to before like science happened.

I have the equivalent of a year of physics. Ha. Hah ha.

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Americanegro

2/23/2017 04:53:49 pm

"Dark matter" does not exist.

"Dark energy" does not exist.

They are the phlogiston of the 21st century. Making stuff up because data is not understood.

"I have the equivalent of a year of physics." = "Couldn't even find physics in the dictionary" + "Never took a physics course" + "Don't know basic calculus".

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JLH

2/23/2017 07:12:48 pm

Why are you here? If you want to show everyone how smart you are and how dumb everyone else is, start your own blog.

Americanegro

2/24/2017 12:55:33 am

"JLH
2/23/2017 07:12:48 pm
Why are you here? If you want to show everyone how smart you are and how dumb everyone else is, start your own blog."

Dude, unless you're the new manager here, complain about light and shadow or up and down. I could give you a good suggestion on where to start. You will need a locked room, a sturdy pipe or beam, a stool and a rope. In a pinch, a gas stove and time alone. Failing that a car, and a garage. Or if pressed for time, the ever popular toaster bathtub combo. Don't forget to carve some runes.

Kal

2/23/2017 02:28:33 pm

What he might be thinking of is the bow shock of the galactic medium the Sol system passes through, or the Sun's 'solar wind', but it seems he has a lot of that wrong, as even energy and radiation from the sun does not explain his bizarre idea. Also the medium is not nearly as dense out beyond the oort cloud, and space gasses and dust hit the solar system. This is also not a plasma or an ether. Is he confusing the cosmic background radiation for an actual cloud? That's insane! It would make a fun spoof though. Imagine a cheesy 1950s style space rocket landing on a Venus like planet, bus with no science involved, having been checked there by the ether of space. Upon landing there, the scantily clad queen princess regent of the colony takes in the hapless astronaut, who is a paunchy middle aged politician from an unknown and made up Earth country, insert US, and then he naturally becomes their god until the luckless aliens realize he's just a con. Gee, sounds like an old b movie, or something Ed Wood would have tackled.

Libertarians, in theory, sound great: devoted to rational solutions and freedom of the individual. In practice, many seem to be thin-skinned egotists who are dismissive of women, insist gold is worth $50,000 an ounce, and embrace various economic and political conspiracy theories.

I'm just not sure if they get laid less often or just as often as Objectivists because "zero" isn't any kind of "often."

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I'm an author and editor who has published on a range of topics, including archaeology, science, and horror fiction. There's more about me in the About Jason tab.